Thank You, Next: A Deep Dive into Movie References
Hey there, movie buffs! Welcome to our ultimate guide on Ariana Grande's hit song, "Thank U, Next," and its amazing array of movie references. We're about to dive in, so grab your popcorn and let's get started! Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and thank you next movie references.
The Title: A "Mean Girls" Homage
First things first, the title itself is a nod to one of the most iconic teen movies of all time, Mean Girls. In the movie, the Plastics' leader, Regina George, writes a burn book filled with insults about her classmates. When she's asked what she's writing, she responds, "It's not a burn book, it's a... thank you, next book." Ariana paying homage to this classic line was a clear indication that we were in for a treat!
The Opening Verse: A "13 Going on 30" Flashback
The song kicks off with the line, "It's too late now, she's growing out, she's growing up." This is a direct reference to the 2004 rom-com, 13 Going on 30. In the movie, Jennifer Garner's character, Jenna Rink, wishes to be "thirty, flirty, and thriving" and magically grows from 13 to 30. Ariana is essentially saying that she's moving on from her past and growing up, just like Jenna did.
The Breakup Anthem: A "Legally Blonde" Moment
The pre-chorus, "I've heard there's a chance that you'll go down and tell me how you feel," is reminiscent of the iconic scene in Legally Blonde where Elle Woods' ex-boyfriend, Warner, tries to apologize to her. He says, "I was wrong... I thought that if I could just get you to see things my way, you'd understand." Ariana's lyrics suggest that she's not interested in hearing any more apologies or explanations.
The "Breakfast Club" Influence
The chorus, "Thank you, next, thank you, next," is a clear reference to the 1985 classic, The Breakfast Club. In the movie, the five high school students are asked to write an essay about who they think they are. When it's Bender's turn, he writes, "Dear Mr. Vernon, we accept the fact that we had to sacrifice a whole Saturday in detention for whatever it was we did wrong. But as far as I'm concerned, the day I don't have to come to school, the day I can wake up and not have a care in the world - that's a day I'll never forget." Ariana's "thank you, next" is her way of saying she's moving on and not dwelling on the past.
The "Bring It On" Cheer
The line, "I'm so fuckin' grateful for my ex," is a shout-out to the 2000 cheerleading comedy, Bring It On. In the movie, the Toros' cheer captain, Isis, says, "I'm so fuckin' grateful for this team." Ariana uses this line to show that she's grateful for her past experiences, even if they didn't work out in the end.
The "Charlie's Angels" Power
The bridge, "One taught me love, one taught me patience, one taught me pain," is a nod to the 2000 action-comedy, Charlie's Angels. In the movie, the Angels introduce themselves by saying, "I'm Natalie, I'm Dylan, I'm Alex." Ariana uses this to represent the different lessons she's learned from her past relationships.
The "He's All That" Twist
The music video for "Thank U, Next" is filled with movie references, but one of the most notable is the He's All That scene. In the video, Ariana plays multiple roles, including a Mean Girls-inspired character and a Legally Blonde-inspired character. In the He's All That scene, she's seen studying in a library, similar to the original movie's scene where the main character, Zack, studies in the library. However, Ariana adds a twist by including her exes in the scene, showing that she's moving on from them just like Zack did from his ex.
The "The First Wives Club" Message
The song's message of moving on and not dwelling on the past is also a nod to the 1996 comedy, The First Wives Club. In the movie, the three main characters, played by Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler, and Diane Keaton, take revenge on their ex-husbands who wronged them. The song's message of moving on and not seeking revenge is a clear indication that Ariana is taking a different approach to her past relationships.
So there you have it, folks! A comprehensive look at all the amazing movie references in Ariana Grande's "Thank U, Next." Whether you're a die-hard Ariana fan or just a movie buff, we hope you enjoyed this deep dive into the song's inspirations. Now, go forth and spread the love, gratitude, and movie knowledge!